Circuit-controlling device



Q. C. TRAVER CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Jan. 12 1924 Inventor" Oliver CTrave r:

rumba; Feb. 7,11928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER G. TRAVEB, F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENEBAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

- CIBCUIT-CONTBOLLIN G. DEVICE.

Application filed January 12, 192%. Serial 110.6853.

My invention relates to improvements in circuit controllin devices and more particularly to circuit controlling devices for controlling a circuit a plurality of times in succession at predetermined intervals.

Electric line circuits are usually provided with suitable circuit breakers arranged to be opened on the occurrence of an abnormal circuit condition. Inasmuch as continuity of service may thus be interrupted, it is often the practice to reclose'a circuit breaker au-.

Moreover, in order to require the minimum personal attention, it is desirable to have the circuit breaker controlling device self- 2-5 restoring when the circuit breaker is reclosed any number of times up to and including the predetermined number within the predetermined time and remains closed due to the disappearance of the abnormal condition. Furthermore, it is often desirable to have the time intervals such that the successive closures occur at increasin intervals, as by so doing it is possible, wit out impressing too frequent shocks on the line and circuit breaker, to test the permanency of the abnormal condition so as to restore service promptly upon the disappearance thereof.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved circuit controlling device which is o erative automatically to control a circuit a p urality of times in succession at readily variable predetermined intervals and within a predetermined time at the expiration of which further operation ma be suspended and which is particularly a apted for controlling the reclosing of a circuit breaker under the conditions hereinbefore set forth, although its application is not so limited.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accom anying drawing and its scope will be pointe out in the appended claims.

The sin le figure of the accompanying drawing ifiustrates in perspective an emin one direction, cloc wise as illustrated in engaged bodiment of my invention and shows diagrammatically an application thereof in a reclosing circuit breaker control system.

In general, my invention comprises relatively movable cooperating contacts 1 and 2, and means comprising a plurality of spaced actuating members 3, 4 and '5 movable simultaneously in one direction by any suitable power operated means such as a motor 6 successively to actuate the contacts 1 and 2. For controlling the movement of the members 3, 4, and 5, I provide means such as an electromagnet 7 and an armature 8 arranged in the normal position of the armature to hold the members 3, 4 and 5 in a predetermined position, as illustrated in the drawing, and in another position of the armature to permit the motor 6 to move the members 3, 4 and 5 from the redetermined position the drawing, so as to actuate the contacts 1 and 2 at intervals dependent on the spacing of the members 3, 4 and 5, and arranged to prevent further movement of the members until the armature is returned to the normal position.

' The actuating members 3, 4 and 5 may be mounted as radially disposed arms of a suitably mounted rotatable member such as a shaft 9 to which is secured a gear 10 of a reducing gear train 11 arranged to be driven v by the motor 6. For varying the spacing of the arms 3, 4 and 5 so as to obtain the desired intervals between actuation of the contacts 1 and 2, the arms are adjustabl positioned on the shaft 9'by any suitable c ampi'ngmeans such as a nut 12 and washers 13 and 14, and the gear 10 is preferably suitably graduated to indicate the correct positioning of the arms for the desired time intervals. In order that the balance of the load on the shaft 9 may be maintained substantially constant irrespective of the positioning of the arms 3, 4 and 5, they may be provided with counterbalancing portions 3', 4' and 5' respectively.

For controlling the movement of the arms 3, 4 apd 5 by the motor 6, which may be continuously energized, the normal position of the armature 8 may be the unattracted position to which the armature 8 is biased by any suitable means such as a spring 15. In this position the armature 8 is arranged to be by any suitable means such as an engaging member 16 secured to the shaft 8 whereby to hold the arms 3, 4 and 5 in one 110 position. When the electromagnet- 7 is ener-' gized and the armature 8 thereby moved to another or attracted position, the engaging member 16 is released and the arms 3, 4 and 5 are free to rotate under the the torque exerted by the motor 6 at a rate dependent on the speed thereof. Therefore, for uniformity in time delay action, the motor 6 is preferably a substantially constant speed motor. As the arms 3, 4 and 5 are rotated, each actuates the contacts 1 and 2 once, at intervals dependent on the spacing of the arms. For reclosing circuit breaker operation, these in tervals preferably progressively increase the first intervalbeing relatively short, the second interval relatively long and the third in-' terval still longer. My invention, however, is not limited to this number or order of time intervals, as it is obvious that the number of arms and the spacing thereof may be varied to'provide any desired .number' and order of-in'tervals. I a

In order that the actuation of the con tacts 1 and 2 may be effected positively with a minimum 'loadon the motor, they are mountedfon pivots 17 and 18 respectively and. arranged to provide a hammer blow action. on: closure. For this purpose, 'the' free end; of contact. 1 is mounted for lost 'motion'; .and supportedby any suitable means such asa rest 19'an d'in turn supports the free' end of contact 2 by any suitable means such as a flange 20, so that, as one of the arms 3, 1 and;5 moves towards the con-- tacts, it,first'engages and moves contacts 1 and 2 simultaneously upward and subsequently releases contactl and engages and moves contact 2 towards contact 1 which is now fallingtowards contact 2, thereby insuring'agood contact closure. Q

For further controlling the. movement of the arms 3, 4' and5, the armature 8 isprovided with a stop 21, which, when the armature is in the attracted position, is arrangedj to be engaged 'by an engaging member'22,

which may be angularly displaced relatively to the en aging member 16 in advance there of, consi ering the direction of motion,-'so 5 as to rmit substantially one revolution of the shaft 9 before the arms 3, 4 and-5 are brought to a stop after actuating thekcontacts 1 and 2. The sto 21 maybe such't-hat upon deenergization o the electromagnet 7 the armature 8 will, under the bias of spring 15, be returned to the unattracted position whereupon-the stop 21 will be released from the engaging arm 22 and permit the motor 6 to rotate the shaft 9 clockwise as shown in the drawing until the'engaging arm 16 abuts the end of the armature 8. I may further providev the armature 8 with means such asa flange or collar 23 such that-,if the armature .is in the attracted position when the engaging member 22 abuts the stop 21, the armature 8 cannot return to the normal the toothed w eel 29.

or unattracted position when 'the electromagnet 7 is deenergized. In this way automat c operation of the circuit controlling device may be "suspended, even though the eleut ro magnet7 is deenergized.

In order to reset the device for automatic operation, I provide means adapted to be operated to free the engaging member 22 from the flange 23 whereupon the armature 8 will be returned to its unattracted position.

by the spring 15. if the electromagnet 7 is not energized. This means may comprise alug 24 mounted on thegear 1 0 in such a.

position as to be engageable by a suitable operating member such as a finger lever 25:

when the engaging arm 22 bears against the stop 21. Under these conditions, cloek-' wise rotation of the lever-25 will turn the gear 10 and'shaft't) counter-clockwise sufiiciently to 'free the engaging arm 22 from the flange 23. To prevent over travel of the gear 10 and parts-associatedtherewith I preferably use an electric motor having a substantially constant speed characteristic as by so doing it is possible to obtain greater uniformity timing operation. The

motor 6' illustrated is of ,the shaded pole induction disk" type, as I have found that such a motor will serveithe purpose very .well and can be designed-to accelerate veryqnickly. and maintain a subs'tantially'coniou' stant speed even with considerable variation in voltage. In'order toavoid shocks to the mechanism by the somewhat abrupt stop ping and starting thereof and when the lever 25 is operatedfto reverse the direction of fi'novement of the gear 10 and its associatedparts, I vpreferablyprovide a resilient connection between the shaft 27 of the motor .6. and the gear train 11." This connectionmay comprise a spring 28 secured tothe motor shaft 27 and to suitable means such as a shaft 27 being-'journaled in flthe shaft 31 on toothed wheel 29 secured. to the first gear 30 j of the gear train 11,-- one end of the motor which the toothed wheel 29 and the gear 30 are mounted. The initial torsion" in the;

spring 28 may be varied by changing the the spring 28 with point of enga ement of In order more clearly'to setforththeoperation oft-he illustrated embodiment of. my

invention, I have shown; diagrammatically ian hpplicatiorikthereot for. reclosing a latched-in 7 type of circuit brealter 32 which is arranged to control a linecireuit-33 eon- 'nected to a main bus 34' and to be opened in response tov a predetermined abnormal condition, such. as I excess current, by an over-current relav 35. The circuit breaker 32 may be provided with any suitable closing means such as a closing coil .36, the circuit of which is normally open and arranged to be closed on actuation of the contacts 1 and 2. These contacts are shown directly in the circuit of the closing coil36 for the sake of simplicit although the usual practice is to have the relatively light contacts 1 and 2 control a relay having contacts of suflicient current carrying capacity to carry the relatively large current demand of the closing coil.

Any suitable source such as an auxiliary bus 37 energized from the main bus 34 through a potential transformer 38 may be used to energize the motor 6, the electromagnet 7, the closing coil 36 and a manually controlled trip or opening coil 39. The circuit breaker 32 is provided with an auxiliary switch 40 arranged to control the circuit of the electromagnet 7 so that the circuit thereof is open when the circuit breaker 32 is closed and vice-versa.

Assumin that the parts-are positioned as shown in t e drawing, and that something happens on the circuit 33 to cause the actuation of the relay 35, the circuit breaker 32 will be tripped and move to circuit open osition. The circuit of the electroma net g is thereby completed by the auxiliary switch and the end of the armature 8 moved away from the engaging member 16. The motor 6 being energized continuously from the auxiliary bus 37 at once moves the arms-3, 4 and 5 clockwise. After a relatively short interval, contacts 1 and 2 are actuated by arm 3 and the circuit of the closing coil 36 completed thereby causing the circuit breaker 32 to be closed. U on the closing of the circuit breaker, t e clectromagnet 7 is again deenergizediand the armature 8 moves to the unattracted position under the bias of spring 15; If the circuit breaker 32 remains closed due to the disappearance of the abnormal condition, the arms 3, 4 and 5 will continue to be rotated until the en ging member 16 makes one revolution an isheld by the armature 8. If, however, the circuit breaker 32 opensa second time, it will be closed again after'a longer" interval when contacts 1 and'2 are actuated by arm 4. If the circuit remains closal due to the disappearance ofthe abnormal condition, :the' arms 3, 4

and 5 will continue to rotate until stopped by the engagement of the engaging arm 16 with the armature '8. If, however, the circuit opens the third'time", it will a am he closed after a still longer interva when arm 5 actuates contacts 1 and 2, and if it staysclosed 'due to the disappearance of the abnormal condition, rotation of the arms 3, 4 and 5will be stopped when the engaging member 16 meets'armature 8.

Assuming. that the circuit breaker 32 opens the fourth time before the engaging arm 22 has moved past the armature 8, then stop 21 will hold the engaging member22 since the armature 8 is in the attracted position. The circuit controlling device is now locked out and must be reset. This may be done with the circuit breaker 32 open by opening a switch 41 in the circuit of the electromagnet'7 and actuating the lever 25 so as to move the engaging member 22 counter-clockwise sufiiciently to clear the flange 23. If it is desired to trip the circuitbreaker 32 without putting the circuit controlling de- Jvice into operation, the switch 41 may be arranged so that in order to close the circuit of the opening coil 39 it must first be moved to open the circuit of the electrom'agnet 7, then when the circuit breaker is opened, the auxiliary switch 40 does not complete the circuit of the electromagnet 7. The auxiliary switch 40 may also bearranged to controlcontacts in the circuit of the opening coil 39 so thatthe circuit breaker 32 will be immediately tripped open junless. the switch 41 is closed on the circuit of the electromagnet 7. In 'thisway an operator cannot leave thecircuitcontrolling device inoperative. The circuit of the closin coil 36 may also be arranged for manual control by a switch 42 so thatthe circuit breaker can be closed indepen'dentlyof the circuit controlling device.

It is therefore obvious that with; circuit controlling devices embodying my invention, a circuit breaker can he reclosed one or more 'timesat predetermined intervals which may be as desired and, if the circuit breaker remains closed any one of thesejtinies,lthe device remains operative to control :the cir-' cuit breaker. If, however, the. circuit breaker opens immediately after the third closure, it will be locked out, as operation of the device is suspended and'the devicc must be reset before again; acting automatically,

tuating membeismovable simultaneously in one direction. successivel actuate said contacts, power operate means for moving said members in said direction, and means for controlling the movement of said members by said power operated means ,oontacts, means cornprls'ing-a pluralityfo -.spaced ac pendent on the spacing comprisin an electromagnet and armature arrangedm the'normal posltionof the armature to holdsaid members in a predeterone direction successively to actuate said contacts, means comprising a motor adapted continuously to exert a torque for moving said members in said direction, and means for controlling the movement of said members'by said motor comprising an'electromagnet and armature arranged in the normal position of the armature to hold said members in a predetermined position and in another position of the armature to permit said'motor to move said members. from said position a predetermined amount whereby "Jov tatabl'e member com risinga plurality of said contacts are actuated at intervals dependent on the positioningiof said members. 3. In a' device of the class described, rela tively movable cooperating contacts, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of angularly spaced substantially co lanar arms ar-' ranged upon rotation of sai member in one direction successively to actuate said contacts,

means comprising a motor for turning said member in said direction, and means for. holding'said member in aplurality of positions; comprising an electromagnet arranged when deenergized to hold said member in one position and when energized to permit said motor to turn said member from said position whereby said contacts are actuated by said arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof, said electromagnet being arranged to hold said member in another position until deenergized. I

4. In a device of the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts, a rospaced arms arrange upon rotation of said member in one direction successively to actuate said contacts, means comprisin a motor for turning sa1d member in sai direction, and means for controlling the movement of said member comprising an electromagnet provided with a movable armature an means carried by, said member and arranged to engage sa d'armature in one position thereof whereby said member is held in a predetermined position and to permit a predetermined move. nent of said member in said direction when said armature 1s moved to another position whereby said contacts-are actuated once by each of said arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof.

5. In a device of the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of spaced arms arranged upon rotation of said member'in one direction successively to actuate said contacts, means comprisin a motor for turning said member in sai direction, and'm'eans for controlling the movement of said member comprising an electromagnet provided with a movable armature andmeans carried by said member and arranged to engage said armature in one position thereof whereby said member is held in a predetermined position and to be released upon movement of said armature to another position thereby to permit movement of said member in said direction whereb said contacts are actuated once by each 0' said arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof, and subsequently to engage said armature and hold said member in another position whereby further movement of said member is prevented.

6. In a device of the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of spaced arms arranged upon rotation of said member in one direction successively to actuate said contacts, means comprisin a motor for turning said member in sai direction, and means for controlling the movement of said member comprising an electromagnet having an armature biased for movement to the unattracted position, and a plurality of spaced engaging members carried by said rotatable member, one of said engaglng members being arranged to engage said armature in the unattracted position vwhereby said rotatable member is held in one position when said electromagnet is deenergized, and to be released upon movement of said armature tothe attracted position thereby to permit movement of said rotatable member in said direction whereby said contacts are actuated once by each of said arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof and another of said engaging members being arranged subsequently to en age said armature only when in the attracte position whereby further movement of said r0- tatable member is revented.

'7. In a device 0 the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of spaced arms arrange upon rotation of said member to actuate said-contacts, means comprising a substantia-llyvconstant speed motor for turningsaid member in said direction,-

and means .for controlling the movement of said member comprising an electromagnet provided with ya movable armature, means .carried by said'rotatable member and arranged to engage said armature when in the normal position whereby said rotatable member is held in a predetermined position and to be released upon movement of said armature to another position thereby to permit movement of said rotatable member in said direction whereby said contacts are actuated once by each of said arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof and subsequently to engage said armature only when 1n said other position whereby further movement of said rotatable member is'prevented, and means associated with said armature and arranged to engage said engaging means'whereby to prevent said armatime from returning to normal position.

8. In a device of the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts,a rotatable member comprising a plurality of spaced arms arranged upon rotation of said member to actuate said contacts, means comprising a substantially constant speed motor for turning said member in said direction, and means for controlling the movement of said member, comprising an electromagnet provided with a movable armature, means carried by sald rotatable member, and arranged to engage said armature when in the normal position whereby said rotatable member is held in a predetermined position,-

and to be released upon movement of said armature to another position thereby to permit movement of said rotatable member in said direction whereby said contacts are'actuated once by each ofsaid arms at intervals dependent on the spacing thereof and subsequently to engage said armature only when in said other position'whereby further movement of said rotatable member is prevented, means associated with said armature and arranged to engage said engaging means whereby to prevent said armature from returning to normal position, and means adapted to be operated to release said engaging means from said armature whereby said armature is free to move to normal position.

9. In a device of the class described, relatively movable cooperating contacts, a rotatable member comprising a plurality of adjustably positioned and counterbalancedarms arranged upon rotation of the member in one direction successively to actuate said contacts, means comprising a motor for turning said member in said direction, and means for controlling the movement of said member comprising an electromagnet pro-' vided with a movable armature and means carried by said member and arranged to engage said armature in one position thereof whereby said member is held in a predetermined position and to permit a predetermined movement of said member in said direction when said armature is moved to another position whereby said contacts are actuated successively by said'arms at intervals .dependent on the positioning thereof.

10. In combination with a circuit breaker, means adapted to effect the closing of the circuit breaker a plurality of times in succession at predetermined intervals comprising a movable member, power operated means tending to actuate said member and means for holding said member in one position arranged to be released by the opening of the circuit breaker and to hold the member in another position when the circuit breaker is open after the member has been ber and means comprising an electromagnet controlled by said circuit breaker and having an armature arranged in normal position to hold said member in a predetermined position When the circuit breaker is closed and to be actuated to another position to release the member when the circuit breaker o ens said armature bein arran ed to revent full movement of said member to said,

predetermined position until the armature is returned to normal position.

' In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of January, 1924.

OLIVER o. TRAVER. 

